| One of the toughest parts of mountain biking is not | | | | ground. Look for a mountain bike stand that has a |
| necessarily the trail on which it is ridden or the style the | | | | single lever quick release mechanism to hold the bike |
| rider chooses. Keeping the bike in superior condition | | | | upright. Gone are the days when a bike was turned |
| and repair is essential to the success of any style of | | | | upside down to make repairs. With the grip working |
| mountain biking. Kick-stands are out of the question for | | | | similar to vice grip pliers they should be easily |
| repair work and finding the right mountain bike stand | | | | adjustable to the size of the crossbar and be able to |
| with which to hold the bike for work, should be | | | | support the weight of the bike. The grip should also |
| something every cyclist needs to do. Finding the right | | | | have a single, quick release mechanism to make |
| mountain bike stand may take some time, but there a | | | | removing the bike easy, no matter how much it |
| few things to look for when considering a purchase. | | | | weighs. Ideally, the mountain bike stand will be |
| Obviously, price will be a major concern, but spending | | | | adjustable up and down to make working on the bike |
| hundreds, and possibly thousands of dollars on a quality | | | | more convenient and comfortable. The adjustment |
| mountain bike, anything left over in the budget should | | | | should be easy with a single release on a telescoping |
| be applied to a quality stand. A mountain bike stand | | | | pole to make moving the bike up and down easy for |
| should be freestanding, meaning it can stand on its | | | | one person to accomplish. The rider should not have to |
| own, under the weight of the bike when attached, | | | | struggle or ask for help to get the bike to a level at |
| without fear it will fall over, regardless of the terrain on | | | | which work can be performed. While many mountain |
| which it is used. Many riders carry a foldable mountain | | | | bike stand prices are under $100, a quality stand can |
| bike stand with them for competition and when | | | | cost over $300 and depending on the amount of work |
| needed it can be quickly set up beside the car and | | | | a person will do on their bike, the higher priced, better |
| used to effect repairs. The stands with a tripod stand | | | | quality mountain bike stand may be a better bargain in |
| are the most useful at remaining upright on tough | | | | the long run. |